Top of the fifth inning, bases loaded, no one out for Baylor. Third baseman Sarah Smith hit a fielder’s choice that led to a ground out at home,
No. 14 Baylor had opportunity after opportunity like this, and failed to take advantage. Ultimately their poor base running and lack of hitting would be their downfall in a 1-0 loss against Lipscomb.
Lipscomb right fielder Gracey Aguirre reached first on a throwing error by Baylor shortstop Jordan Strickland to set up an RBI triple by shortstop Bridgette Begle for the only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth.
Baylor loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with one out after a muffed throw by Lipscomb second baseman Mimi Cartwright. Catcher Clare Hosack was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat. Shortstop Jordan Strickland popped out and designated player Robin Landrith lined out, and Baylor failed to score.
After a one-hit inning by Lipscomb, Baylor had runners on first and third in the second with no outs. Second baseman Ari Hawkins popped up into a double-play and Cargill popped out to the catcher.
Lipscomb loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second after singles from Aguirre, Cartwright and left fielder Brianne Welch. Center fielder Brittany Elmore grounded out to end the inning scoreless.
Then came the disastrous fifth inning for Baylor. Hawkins walked and stole second on the next pitch. Thumann reached first on a fielder’s choice, followed by center fielder Lindsey Cargill reaching on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with no outs. Smith hit into a force out and Hosack hit into a double-play at third base to end the inning.
Thumann singled to left field, but Cargill hit into a fielder’s choice out at second and Smith grounded out to end the game in seven.
Senior left-hander Whitney Canion took the loss despite throwing six innings and not allowing an earned run. She allowed six hits, but threw 11 strikeouts. Right-hander Tanner Sanders moved to 4-0 after seven innings of shutout baseball.
Thumann had two of Baylor’s three hits to go along with a walk. Canion reached base twice on walks. The Bears combined to leave nine runners on base.
Begle hit the game’s lone RBI and Aguirre scored the eventually game-winning run. Cartwright put out seven batters while fielding second base.
With the loss, Baylor fell to 6-2 on the season, while Lipscomb improved to 7-1. The Bears will play Iowa at 5:30 on Saturday and No. 18 Missouri at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
